Update on Wellness Policy vs Congress

[Xero]

In news that can only be described as (at the least) a complete embarrassment to the professional wrestling world, United States Senator Henry Waxman filed a letter to the Office of National Drug Control Policy's Director, John P. Walters, providing the results of the Congressional Oversight Committee’s investigation into the steroid use within the professional wrestling industry.

You can read Waxman's complete letter in PDF form, in which he points out issues with WWE and TNA policies currently in place, by clicking here.

In the letter, Waxman notes that he is leaving the Committee to become the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, requesting that ONDCP examine the widespread steroid abuse within the business and the industry's policing methods and "take appropriate steps to address this problem."

Waxman's letter notes, among other points:

*Chris Benoit was tested and positive three times for steroids by World Wrestling Entertainment prior to his June 2006 murder/suicide of his family, but was never penalized by the promotion beyond "only a warning."

*40% of WWE talents tested positive for steroids and other drugs despite being aware they would be tested when the company instituted their "Wellness Policy."

*25% of TNA's talent roster tested positive for steroids during the promotion's first baseline test while 11 talents tested positives for other substances. Waxman went on to note that while the company has instituted a policy, there are "significant weaknesses" in the TNA program.

*WWE hired four of five wrestlers who tested positive for steroids in a pre-hiring test, despite their positives.

*Waxman was critical of WWE making changes to their Wellness Policy several months after instituting it to allow wrestlers to continue to perform (without pay) on TV and PPV events in order to maintain storyline consistency. In an interview with Aegis Science's Dr. Black (who oversees the WWE Wellness program), Black noted that was instituted, "because it was becoming difficult to deal with the talent who were being suspended". Black also noted he was "unaccustomed to programs that suspend and you're not suspended."

*Waxman also noted that WWE was allowing "therapeutic usage" of steroids from talents who were using a "testosterone replacement therapy" to issues brought on by previous steroid use in their past.

*Despite being a performer within his own company, Vince McMahon is not subject to the WWE's Wellness Policy testing procedures. Waxman noted McMahon would not comment on his own steroid use and claimed not to know of the damages brought on by long-term steroid use, noting he was "not a doctor."

From PWInsider.